U47 Positioning

[Boner]

A few years ago I read a brief statement that some engineers position the U47
slightly off axis for a better or different sound. It didn't go into much detail other
than the statement. Anyone familiar with this practice?

Thanks, Lee

[Fletcher]

I generally tip them back about 5 degrees... then again, I generally tip most mics back around 5 degrees... seems to cut down on "essses" a bit... or it could just be superstition.

FWIW, I was working in Chicago last week and cut an amazing vocal with a Shure SM-58 on a straight stand in the back of the control room while the basics were done in the main room. The only pre that was left was one of those Universal Audio things... and seeing that I figured the vocals would be recut later I figured "what the hell"... well I have to say that it would be half a minor miracle for the singer to give up a better performance... and the overall sound is perfect for the songs we recorded.

How 'bout that shit...

[rlnyc]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

The only pre that was left was one of those Universal Audio things... and seeing that I figured the vocals would be recut later I figured "what the hell"... well I have to say that it would be half a minor miracle for the singer to give up a better performance... and the overall sound is perfect for the songs we recorded.

How 'bout that shit...

you never know. considering that the ua pre is one of the wierdest animals around (it's great, it sucks, no headroom?, it's "phat", it's "wooly", no wait, that's "warm." it's got "toobs", no wait maybe they are "boobs."), but you can never be sure that something like that won't be just right, in it's place, along with the other "toys/tools." (it's rock & roll, ain't it?)


best,
rlnyc

[7rojo7]

I angle any vocal mic down, capsule slightly above the mouth, away from the nose and towards the throat and chest, yes it helps with popping and keeps the singers throat open. With tube mics I mount them upside down to keep the heat producing tubes above the capsule (heat rises). This also helps keep the singer a little further away from the mic because it'll hit him in the head if he gets too close. Between the pop filter, the music stand and the mic position I usually get the sound I'm after and I get to annoy a singer a little.
I get great results with the straight stand method too, listen Fletcher I even put one up as a placebo mic and get something good as close as I can. There's something about the contact with a hand held that just loosens things up for some singers and who cares about some of the pronunciation problems when you got a smokin track unless it's like Janis Ian or Jim Croce or Harry Chapin you know where you have to understand what they're saying. When the singer's more like a saxophone or something and they feel good with that physical contact, let'em have it

[mixer]

like a wind instrument all the tone from a voice does not come out of the mouth..the head resonates and the chest and lungs work like chambers..i usually mic back about 6 inches from the mouth angled down slightly toward the chin..i find i get a richer sound..especially using a 251 or 47.